[djpower]

Originally Posted by Ian Cleverly

ESPN are doing a World Cup special on Friday (at 9.30pm) as well, according to their website:-

Originally Posted by Originally Posted by ESPN UK

ESPN Press Pass - World Cup 2010 Draw Special
Host Adrian Healey is joined in the ESPN studio by Frank Leboeuf, Shaka Hislop, Les Ferdinand and Steve McManaman to react to today's World Cup draw

They are using the ESPN International crew interesting, I am suspecting this will be delayed on ESPN UK as it down on ESPN Pacific Rim, Caribbean, Atantic ect, ect to air at 7pm - 8pm London time. In Australia there not running it on there HD channel so I am guessing it will be a 4:3 SD picture.

[seagull_Mark]

Originally Posted by hallrose 999

How do you know about El Tel being in ssn on friday?

Aah I have my sources!

Not really, I heard Simon Thomas I think say it on Sky Sports News earlier tonight after they crossed to Andy Burton at Old Trafford.

[djpower]

ESPN International’s popular soccer debate and opinion show, ESPNSoccernet Press Pass, will feature reactions and analysis from past World Cup stars. The FIFA World Cup Draw special will feature host Adrian Healey with 1998 World Cup winner Frank Lebeouf (France) and Trinidad and Tobago’s 2006 World Cup goalkeeper Shaka Hislop providing analysis from ESPN’s Bristol studios. Special guests will include ex-England midfielder McManaman, ESPN International soccer analyst Smyth and Andrew Orsatti. The program will be aired on ESPN UK, in the Pacific Rim, Atlantic, and the Caribbean regions, as well as the Middle East and Israel. It will also be featured on ESPN360.com in the United States.

source: http://www.espn**************/press_...FIFAWCDraw.htm

Suppose to read ESPN Media Zone dot com / ..... DS wants to keep on **** it out

[mr williams]

Originally Posted by D4N1EL11

our favourtie commentator Jonathan Pearce will be commentating on the world cup draw for the BBC!!

Charles Sale suggested that this meant JP was in the lead in the race to be the new No 1 but as somebody pointed out, Barry Davies did countless draws and opening ceremonies but only got the final once so we live in hope!

ps: sadly, I think Pearce will get it UNLESS England should reach the Final in which case I can see the Beeb putting Motty on the first plane to South Africa on a wave of publicity

[gilsta]

Originally Posted by mr williams

Charles Sale suggested that this meant JP was in the lead in the race to be the new No 1 but as somebody pointed out, Barry Davies did countless draws and opening ceremonies but only got the final once so we live in hope!

The other point to remember is Pearce has extensive experience talking through his arse as robotic nobodies prance around making fools of themselves, both on Robot Wars and Hole in the Wall.

[hard_to_beat]

Originally Posted by mr williams

Charles Sale suggested that this meant JP was in the lead in the race to be the new No 1 but as somebody pointed out, Barry Davies did countless draws and opening ceremonies but only got the final once so we live in hope!

ps: sadly, I think Pearce will get it UNLESS England should reach the Final in which case I can see the Beeb putting Motty on the first plane to South Africa on a wave of publicity

That actually sounds more than plausible, the Beeb would be in an impossible position if England actually made it to the final unless one of the top 3 was head and shoulders above the others.

Originally Posted by gilsta

The other point to remember is Pearce has extensive experience talking through his arse as robotic nobodies prance around making fools of themselves, both on Robot Wars and Hole in the Wall.

LMAO, never a truer word spoken!

[mikey1980]

Originally Posted by mr williams

Charles Sale suggested that this meant JP was in the lead in the race to be the new No 1 but as somebody pointed out, Barry Davies did countless draws and opening ceremonies but only got the final once so we live in hope!

ps: sadly, I think Pearce will get it UNLESS England should reach the Final in which case I can see the Beeb putting Motty on the first plane to South Africa on a wave of publicity

You could be right on both counts, although I think the BBC would be making a mistake either way. Motson is a shadow of the great commentator of the 1980's. And of course, he hasn't commentated on a live game since 2008.

As for Pearce, he's alright... I don't have a problem with him, he's got a distinctive voice and style, which isn't always the case with commentators nowadays. But he's not the best commentator at the BBC, so he'd be getting the final due to his name, not on merit.

[mlt11]

Still no FA Cup TV games announcement.

When were the TV games announced last year? I would have thought it was by now.

No doubt negotiations are continuing!

[mogzyboy]

Originally Posted by mlt11

Still no FA Cup TV games announcement.

When were the TV games announced last year? I would have thought it was by now.

No doubt negotiations are continuing!

They were definitely decided sooner than this last season.

Have I missed something, or is there still no deal for the other package of FA Cup rights?

[ariusuk]

Originally Posted by mlt11

Still no FA Cup TV games announcement.

When were the TV games announced last year? I would have thought it was by now.

No doubt negotiations are continuing!

The main issue is that the "obvious" first pick is dependent on the outcome of a replay, and while most people would tell you that replay is going to be won by team a, if team b wins then the 3rd round fixture is probably a third pick, and a different game becomes first pick.

It's complicated more by the time slots which are available for said fixture varying dependent on the winner of the replay.

Some of the fixtures have definitely been eliminated from the possibility of having live TV coverage.

[Mark.]

Man Utd v Leeds Utd can't surely be considered a 1st pick?

Yes it has the history etc. but look what happened the last time a League 1 team was shown away at a Premier League team...

EDIT: and Man Utd v Kettering Town a 3rd pick? Blimey...

[ariusuk]

Originally Posted by Mark.

Man Utd v Leeds Utd can't surely be considered a 1st pick?

Yes it has the history etc. but look what happened the last time a League 1 team was shown away at a Premier League team...

Like Chelsea v Southend? (Yes, I know it wasn't shown)

[mlt11]

Originally Posted by Mark.

Man Utd v Leeds Utd can't surely be considered a 1st pick?

It sure can! We know how these things work.

If Leeds win:

1. Man Utd v Leeds
2. Reading v Liverpool
3. West Ham v Arsenal

If Leeds lose:

1. Reading v Liverpool
2. West Ham v Arsenal
3. Man Utd v Kettering

The only question is IF the FA don't sell the rights will they let ITV have the 2nd (and 3rd?) pick, leaving the 4th and 5th on the FA website?

I strongly imagine they will - but would they try to get a few extra pennies out of ITV? Probably yes but they may well not be successful!

[Arthur Pringle]

Originally Posted by mikey1980

You could be right on both counts, although I think the BBC would be making a mistake either way. Motson is a shadow of the great commentator of the 1980's. And of course, he hasn't commentated on a live game since 2008.

As for Pearce, he's alright... I don't have a problem with him, he's got a distinctive voice and style, which isn't always the case with commentators nowadays. But he's not the best commentator at the BBC, so he'd be getting the final due to his name, not on merit.

I actually think Motson's been ok this season, I haven't heard anyone streets ahead of him on the Beeb

[bwfcol]

The draw is pretty rubbish to be honest, it's very unlikely that Reading will beat Liverpool, Man Utd at home losing to Leeds? OK, there's always a chance of an upset but normally not when a top 4 PL team is at home to a lower division team

[gilsta]

If Man Utd at home to a League One team is ITV's first pick why don't they just rearrange the contract so they automatically show Man Utd in every round. And v Kettering third pick? How quickly the tune has changed.

Choosing the Man Utd home game v Spurs last year over the Merseyside Derby was bizarre but this is another level. Should've seen it coming with the "Football United" slogan though, they're just suits interested in a quick ratings hit rather than actually catering to football fans.

[mogzyboy]

Salzburg vs. Lazio on ITV4

Commentators: Peter Drury and Iain Dowie

[Homesdale]

Salzburg v Lazio ITV4
Peter Drury & Iain Dowie

AEK Athens v Everton ESPN
Jon Champion & Joe Royale

[Mark.]

Originally Posted by mlt11

It sure can! We know how these things work.

Well, quite...it's the first pick for a broadcaster that wants to show Man Utd at every opportunity

But there's no way that it's the first pick.

[loyalsince]

Originally Posted by gilsta

Choosing the Man Utd home game v Spurs last year over the Merseyside Derby was bizarre but this is another level. Should've seen it coming with the "Football United" slogan though, they're just suits interested in a quick ratings hit rather than actually catering to football fans.

Well ITV needs to make money- they have to follow the ratings. Considering a lot of their £275m goes to grassroots football and Man Utd will get the highest ratings they are catering to football fans

[djpower]

Originally Posted by Homesdale

AEK Athens v Everton ESPN
Jon Champion & Joe Royale

ESPN International feed
Derek Rae and Shep Messing

[hallrose 999]

Jamie Redknapp and Alan Smith with Sir Jeff at Man City tonight. David Platt co-comms. Andy Burton pitchside reporter

[gilsta]

Originally Posted by loyalsince

Well ITV needs to make money- they have to follow the ratings. Considering a lot of their £275m goes to grassroots football and Man Utd will get the highest ratings they are catering to football fans

Man Utd may have the largest loyal audience of any team but the biggest potential audience still remains the casual viewer. Are you seriously suggesting Man Utd v Leeds at lunchtime (which the police will surely insist on) would rate better than Reading v Liverpool at 7.45 on New Years Day?

[casinoman]

Originally Posted by hallrose 999

Jamie Redknapp and Alan Smith with Sir Jeff at Man City tonight. David Platt co-comms. Andy Burton pitchside reporter

Had a nasty feeling it would be David Platt tonight ,the more games he seems to get i get this feeling he will be used for more prem games that Sky have next season...mind you could be even worse....Rob Hawthorne could be with him

[loyalsince]

Originally Posted by gilsta

Man Utd may have the largest loyal audience of any team but the biggest potential audience still remains the casual viewer. Are you seriously suggesting Man Utd v Leeds at lunchtime (which the police will surely insist on) would rate better than Reading v Liverpool at 7.45 on New Years Day?

No- but in general Man Utd (even a poor game) does rate better than an attractive game for the other Top 4. Plus West Ham V Arsenal may be The FA's 2nd pick- who knows whether Reading V Liverpool can play on Fri night